This is an invitation to gay, bisexual, trans, and queer men, and non-binary and Two-Spirit people (GBT2Q) across Canada who are living with HIV and have an interest in informing new U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) research and campaign development.
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of sexual and gender minority communities through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars – community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development – position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities. CBRC was incorporated in 1999 and is a non-profit charitable organization. Our main office is located in Vancouver, and we have satellite offices located in Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax.
The main goals of this project are to:
- Explore barriers to U=U uptake among key sub-communities of GBT2Q people, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities, trans and non-binary people, rural and remote communities, and GBT2Q who are less out.
- Create and launch an innovative, peer-led U=U campaign that targets these key sub-communities.
- Evaluate the uptake and impact of the campaign in addressing U=U knowledge gaps.
We are looking for 5 Community Advisors who are GBT2Q people living with HIV who can work together and with the research team in English. To promote diversity of opinion and perspective, there is a preference for people who live in non-metropolitan areas, and who identify as trans or non-binary, Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour, less out, living with a disability, and/or Francophone. Our team believes that no research about these communities should be developed without the communities in question being involved every step of the way. “Nothing about us without us.”
Working with the CBRC research team, Community Advisors will steer all activities of this project, shaping data collection and analysis plans and tools, interpreting research results, developing, and refining campaign messaging, and overseeing evaluation of the completed campaign. This will involve engaging with both quantitative (i.e., survey) and qualitative (i.e., interview) results. However, we do not expect advisors to have any prior research experience or training. Collectively, this work will help improve U=U uptake and reduce HIV stigma within our communities.
Community Advisors will work closely with the CBRC research and communications teams. All meetings and work will take place virtually by email, phone, or Zoom. Each Community Advisor will receive a $25 per hour honorarium. The initial commitment requested is 4 hours per month for 1 year.
Please submit your statement of interest in your preferred format: email (2-3 paragraphs), video, voice recording, or another format to Ben Klassen ([email protected]). We will start to review submissions on October 29, 2021, and we will hold follow-up conversations with individuals shortly afterwards.
